If you listen carefully you have the Mr. Cornelssen carrying his machine gun and a 53lb tripod and two other soldiers carrying the ammunition. Walked from Normandy Beaches to Luxembourg, wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, operated on in a field hospital that was attacked (buzzed) and then flown to England across the channel and then to the hospital in Michigan. Are you kidding me? His career, prostate cancer..

One of my favorite pastimes as a urologist is to have my picture taken with WWII vets-truly, to me, the greatest generation. I have pictures of patients who served in Germany, landed on D-Day, fought in all of the significant islands in the pacific, Pearl Harbor and on and on. You can easily recognize WWII vets because most all of them enjoy wearing the hat representing when and where they served. In this instance you see a sophisticated older gentleman, like one you might pass in a grocery store and think nothing of it other than he is older and maybe moving slower than you’d prefer if you were behind him in line. But oh…. yes but oh… he’s a hero, he’s tough as nails and fought for you and put his life on the line.
The best part of this interview done in my office during an office visit unscripted was when he said, “Other than people shooting at me, it was the prettiest Christmas day I have ever seen.” Breathtaking!

My Father In-Law, Walter Farmer, was supposed to drop in by way of glider the evening of D-Day with the 101st. He ended up with pneumonia and walked ashore D plus 4. That alone probably saved his life. Still he was a First Lieutenant in a combat infantry group. Five battle stars and the Bronze Star for actions at the Battle of the Bulge. Walter was friends and served under Creighton Abrams. They used to take leave in Paris together. Abrams lead the first collumn of tanks to the relief the 101st in Bastogne. Walter lead a second group of tanks in the following day. His original battle map hangs in my Office. I always thought it fascinating that he trained with the 101st and then comes to their rescue. While he was alive, Christmas was always a special time. He had an incredible zest for life. I guess after going through the war, everything else is but a foot note. He was my true Hero.